CastingsMining Production Supply
Li Ding
Topics:•Introduction•Background
•Products – Particular Piece
•Project I – Time Project
•Project II – Casting Quenching Analysis
•Questions
IntroductionFounded in year 1976, ME Elecmetal – Duluth belongs to ME Global (Chile) which is one of the largest companies in this industry all over the world.
Positioning itself closer to its customer base in iron ore processing.
The company used the most advanced technology, the vacuum molding system (V – Process)
Background I. Crusher
Large Ore has been dumped into the system for crushing into relatively small piece.
One major product – “concaves” constitute the dark blue “walls” which will be easily to wear out and need replace every 6 to 12 month based on type of mine.
Still to big for refining process and need further process – mill.
II. Mill
After Crush Process, ore will be sent into the mill from the FE(Feed End) which mill will rotated at a certain speed with ore against to the shell and against each other.Several mills (usually will be three or four, mine depend) will be applied.
Crushed ore can not leave the mill until its size is smaller than the opening on the DE( Discharger End). “Grinding Ball” may be added for getting fine power. Sometimes water will be used for producing pulp which will help moving smoothly.
Products
Head Liner Shell Liner
Grates Concave
Duty I – Time Project
Vacuum Time:Vacuum applied on the box after liquid metal has been poured and help casting approach its designed shape during the primary solidification. (6 to 20 min)
Flask Time:Solidification keep on going; Shell of the box - Flask has been “locked” to avoid and explosion or casting swell (6 to 16 hr)
Box Time:“Flask” has been removed; Hot castings will covered with sufficient sand and send to cooling tower for completed cooling down. (40 to 85 hr)
Duty I – Time Project Cont..• New jobs start to coming towards such that build up a general handbook will be
wise choice to achieve a accurate procedures as soon as possible based on the pervious database.
• Electronic Database was established 14 years ago which has already contain more than 2000 data sets. Basically, every individual casting will have it own technical requirement including pouring temperature and speed, “Times”, heat treatment recipe, finishing inspections etc..
Alloy Type Gross Weight
• Martensitic Steel
• Pearlitic Steel
• Martensitic Iron
Every 500 # GW; May combine when having same results
Exceptions!
Duty I – Time Project Cont..
Alloy 120Flask Time 4 hours 5 hours 6 hours
Gross Weight Less Than 1250 lb 1250 lb - 7250 lb Larger Than 7250 lbExceptions
Part # 12762 / GW 2910 lb Box Time 51 hr / Flask Time 6 hr
Easy to crack on the opening
Duty II – Casting Quenching Analysis (In Processing)Castings will cool down completely after moving
through these three time periods. However it will not
be accepted by customer since it can’t pass the
inspections, especially it hardness will be significant
lower than desired. Such that we perform an extra
process called heat treatment to make sure the
physical properties of every single casting can meet
the requirements.
High Temp Cycle
Quenching(Fan Blast)
Low Temp Cycle
Duty II – Casting Quenching Analysis Cont..
The high temperature cycle (austenization) is used to homogenize the internal structure of the casting.
1750 will be a general high temp cycle temperature.
The transformation point when the internal structure transfer to pearlite are differed by alloy type. Typically, it’s the same as carbon steel for our steel alloy.
Duty II – Casting Quenching Analysis Cont..
• The quench cycle (Still Air Cool, Fan Blast & SAC and Oil Quenching) is used to develop the desired microstructure of the casting. (Hardness)
• The low temperature cycle (temper) is used to relieve stress and refine the final microstructure of the casting. (Under the transformation point)
Time, Temperature, Transformation Curve
Questions ?